Anchor My Faith

How Can These Things Be

Scripture: John 3:9-12

Jesus made it very clear to Nicodemus the importance of being born spiritually when he said, “[to] him, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”’ (John 3:3 ESV). Jesus also made it clear that we are to experience two births when he said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit” (John 3:5 – 6 ESV). But Nicodemus still does not understand what Jesus is saying and replies by saying, “How can these things be?” (John 3:9).

Nicodemus should have understood because of the concept of a new heart described in Deuteronomy 30:6, writing the law on their hearts in Jeremiah 31:33, and giving a new heart and putting a new spirit within them in Ezekiel 36:26. The most powerful chapter on this is found in Ezekiel 37, in the valley of dry bones when the bones put on life and become living people. What a concept of a spiritual birth.

Jesus has made his point about the importance of being born from above and now because of the lack of understanding on the part of Nicodemus, Jesus now shows his displeasure with the prevailing Jewish misunderstanding of his teaching about the necessity of a new, spiritual birth from above by saying, “Are you the teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things?” (John 3:10 ESV). Is that true of us? Do we say things or even teach spiritual truths but don’t really understand their meaning? How much of the Bible have you read and know the stories but don’t really understand their significance to where it affects how you live?

Jesus continues by saying, “Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen, but you do not receive our testimony” (John 3:11 ESV). Jesus is making it very clear that he is in a position of knowing because of what he has seen and heard and he is sharing that with Nicodemus and others but they do not understand. After the disciples have lived with Jesus and have seen and heard we find John, in 1 John 1:2, saying, “We have seen and testify and announce to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us.” There were many that did not understand or accept what they were saying either. I find the same thing today. As I experience the reality of Jesus Christ in my life and the power of the Word of God and share that with others, I find many that do not understand or accept what I am saying either.

Jesus continues by saying, “If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things” (John 3:12 ESV). Here Jesus is suggesting two levels of understanding. Jesus is doing and saying things in their midst that they were not able to understand or accept. If that is the case, then how is it possible to talk about heavenly things that are not seen?

Prayer

Father, as I consider this lack of understanding and acceptance on the part of the people who were witnessing what Jesus was doing and saying and as I think about people who read the Bible and don’t understand or accept what it is saying, I see the importance of having Jesus in our lives to turn on the light of understanding. Father, thank you for giving to us the Holy Spirit who gives to us who believe the ability to understand.